The Nativity is a major theme in Christian art history. Mary and child are influenced from paintings of Robert Campin, The Adoration of the Shepherds, c. 1435 and Hugo Van Der Goes, Portinari Altarpiece (central panel), c. 1475. The attic figures are reference to the The Magi Asleep, capital from the nave, Cathedral of Saint-Lazare, Autun, Burgundy, France, c.1120-32, (Museum Lapidaire, Autun.) (See: Art History, Revised Edition, Marilyn Stokstad, Abrams and Prentice-Hall, NY, 1999, pg. 521.) The three wise men are being awakened by an angel pointing to a star. Caspar is the eldest, bearded. Melchior has the moustache and Balthasar is the clean shaven younger figure.
Numbers, animals, leaves and fruit are also symbols in this stained glass and porcelain piece. (See: Signs and Symbols in Christian Art by George Ferguson, Oxford University Press, New York, 1959.)
Background to Reliquary series
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